180 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



In average yield of hay and in feeding value, there 

 probably is but little difference, but the market pref- 

 erence in America is strongly in favor of timothy. 



. 182. Importance. Orchard-grass is probably fourth 

 or fifth in importance among cultivated perennial hay 

 grasses in America. As a hay grass it should be second 

 or third in importance, as southward it is much better 

 adapted than timothy, and should be more generally 

 employed, especially in mixtures. 



At present, orchard-grass is most important in Kentucky, 

 southern Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, Virginia, West 

 Virginia, Maryland and western Oregon. 



The relative importance of orchard-grass is much higher 

 in Europe than in America. 



183. Seeding of orchard-grass. Seed may be sown 

 both in the fall and in very early spring. If sown in the 

 fall, early seedings are preferable as this much lessens the 

 danger of winter-killing. In the seed-growing sections, it is 

 the common practice to sow the grass in February in 

 fall-sown wheat, and it is often sown at the same time on 

 ground which has been in corn during the previous season. 

 It may also be sown with spring oats. Whether sown in 

 fall or in spring, the first year's growth rarely yields a 

 crop of hay, but can be utilized only as pasturage. On 

 this account, as well as the danger of winter-killing, 

 spring seedings are in general to be preferred. 



When planting for a seed crop, thin seeding is desirable, 

 and for this purpose one bushel of seed, which weighs 

 about 14 pounds, is commonly used. If planted for hay, 

 double this quantity is very satisfactory as the plants are 

 thicker and the hay less coarse. The seed does not feed 

 well through a drill and so is sown by hand or with a 

 wheelbarrow or other type of seeder. Very shallow cover- 



